Big John - Goose Island Beer Co.

Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.

BA SCORE
91
exceptional
-
911 Ratings

rAvg: 4.07
pDev: 11.3%
Reviews: 385
Hads: 526

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.

Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (372), on-tap (12), growler (1).

Notes:
Brewmasters Notes:
Inspired by the epic skyline of Chicago, Goose Island's brewers set out to craft Big John; a tall, bold slugger of a stout that stands out vividly against the little soft beers out there. Epic amounts of roasted malt and an addition of cacoa nibs give Big John a massive chocolate flavor and aroma. With a body as substantial and black as the building to which it pays homage, Big John is sure to inspire a sense of awe with each sip.

Reviews

Sort by: Latest | High | Low | Top Reviewers | Show Hads:

« first ‹ prev | 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | next › last »

Reviews by Buebie:

Buebie

Minnesota

2.45/5 rDev -39.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured rigorously into an oversized snifter producing a couple inch dark brown head. Settling to leave a solid collar and minimal lace.
Dark as night.
Aroma is roasty and filled with burnt tootsy rolls, loads of grain and malt, dark unsweetened chocolate. Mild toasted wood with some very oaty aroma as well.
Poured out like a thick inky liquid, eager to see what the mouthfeel delivers.
Oh my, mouthfeel is thick creamy and creamy smooth.
Heating up the esophagus as it slides down my throat. But heat on the pallet is not much present. Surprising.
Taste is pretty damn rich and waa waa wee waah malt, a bit too sweet though giving off some undesired cola taste.
Overly mild carbonation presence also creating a bit of an unbalanced feel.
For me its too sweet and syrupy, overpowering in this regard, preventing me from wanting more then a few sips. I wish I had some people over because I really cant drink any more of this. I will choke it down due to the price, plus I'm out of beer. Aside from that it would probably be a drain pour.

Great effort, but I'll pass. Overbearing.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 06:05:49 | More by Buebie

More User Reviews:

elec

Minnesota

4.75/5 rDev +16.7%

05-21-2013 02:40:54 | More by elec

ackeeper

Illinois

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 01:25:39 | More by ackeeper

pstam87

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +16.7%

05-20-2013 23:37:10 | More by pstam87

CanisMajor

Indiana

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 22:25:13 | More by CanisMajor

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 16:23:45 | More by InspectorBob

DukeX13

Illinois

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 02:45:29 | More by DukeX13

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5 rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 23:33:09 | More by jakeox

Jslay013

Massachusetts

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 22:38:42 | More by Jslay013

jono0101

Missouri

5/5 rDev +22.9%

05-18-2013 16:27:24 | More by jono0101

Honus1

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 02:46:18 | More by Honus1

SHerninko

Pennsylvania

4.43/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S-Tapped from Craft Ale House - PA
A-dark, no light through it, small tan head, some lacing
S-good nose, choco, oak, coffee--all very subtle. The more it warms the more you smell.
T-very nice, good from start to finish with some layers. Bourbon, vanilla, some hops at the end to balance it and pull back any sweetness. Very balanced.
M-smooth and creamy, very good.
O-one of my fave Goose stouts when I am not looking for a giant malt/bourbon bomb. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 13:37:40 | More by SHerninko

gpawned

Ohio

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-17-2013 05:08:08 | More by gpawned

BanditoJunkie

New Jersey

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 03:02:20 | More by BanditoJunkie

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.69/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a red wine glass. Pours dark brown and pretty much opaque with a quarter-inch, light tan head that dissipates into a skim. Nose expresses some malt and a slightly oxidized quality. Taste consistent with nose; however, there is also some cocoa nibs evident in the flavor profile. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a mild, even carbonation. Texture is a bit watery and there's also a little acidity. Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this beer. The abv was certainly well-hidden; however, a bit lackluster.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 23:45:16 | More by Jwale73